LANGKAWI (Malaysia): Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to intensive care on the resort island of Langkawi after suffering from breathing difficulties, his son said on Monday.

“It appears to be so. I have been informed that he is now in the intensive care unit at the Langkawi hospital,” Mokhzani Mahathir said. “It is unfortunate that it had to happen,” said Mokhzani.

The 81-year-old former prime minister was admitted to hospital at 4.00 pm (0800 GMT) on Monday, according the Star daily's news alert service. His condition was reportedly stable.

A local lawmaker from Mahathir's homestate of Kedah said that he had visited the former premier at the hospital. “Tun is conscious, he is alert, there is nothing to worry about and he is accompanied by his wife (Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali),” he said, referring to Mahathir by his honorific. News of him being hospitalised spread rapidly in this tiny resort island, which led to Mahathir's friends crowding the hospital floor where he was admitted. The heart attack was blamed on “excessive travelling” after he had visited Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.—AFP